In 1976, Philadelphia hosted a major event unrelated to the bicentennial celebrations. It was the 41st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC), which brought Catholics together from around the world to celebrate and discuss a theme connected to the Eucharist. The history of the event dates back to 1881, when a one day congress was held in Lille, France and attended by 800 people. The event in Philadelphia would last for a week and be attended by over 1,500,000 people including 44 Cardinals and 417 bishops from around the world. [1]
Production of Foolsgold. Halvey A443.011
Planning for the 41st IEC began back in 1974. The main discussion at that point was on what theme to choose for the focus on the congress. It would not be until April of 1975 that the theme of “The Eucharist and the Hungers’ of the Human Family” was approved by Pope Paul VI. The goal was to examine both physical and spiritual hungers.[2] Over the course of the eight days there would be liturgies and lectures exploring the understanding of the Eucharist. Each day of the Congress focused on a different kind of hunger, such as hunger for God on day one and hunger for peace on day seven.[3] Over the week, the Congress also featured art and exhibits, such as performances of Godspell, A Man for All Seasons, and Foolsgold, a mime performance at Old St. Joseph’s Church.[4]
The Eucharistic Congress was a major event in the city and attended by pilgrims from around the world. One of the largest events was the candlelight procession from the Cathedral Basilica to the Art Museum, which was attended by 350,000 people. Another feature of the Congress was Peoples of the World Day where 22 different ethic Masses were held, ranging from Armenian to Korean, with 40,000 attending the Irish Mass on the grounds of St. Charles Seminary.[5]
In addition to the numerous pilgrims, there were also a number of recognizable attendees who addressed the crowds during various parts of the week. St. Teresa of Calcutta and Dorothy Day were panelists on a conference on Women and the Eucharist, although both were at first reluctant to speak because of their dislike of public speaking.[6] St. Teresa spoke of how we do not know or see the poor, whether it be in the streets of Calcutta or in our own homes, and that to address it “love must begin in our hearts, [and] our homes.”[7] Other attendees included the future Pope John Paul II who gave the homily at the Mass for Freedom and Justice in Veterans Stadium.[8] The Congress was even attended by secular leaders such as President Ford, who spoke of the importance of freedom and the Church’s work for peace at the closing Mass before 96,000 people at JFK Stadium.[9]
Eucharistic Congress Choir and Orchestra rehearse. Halvey A355.061
The Congress has some lasting effects on Catholics. One of the main programs that came out of the 41st IEC was Operation Rice Bowl, which raises money every year during Lent to fight world hunger and poverty. The program had a pilot run in the Diocese of Allentown in 1975. When it was introduced leading up to the IEC it raised over 5 million dollars in just a few months.[10] To date Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl has raised over $300 million.[11] Another lasting impact of the 41st IEC was a hymn writing contest that resulted in the popular “Gift of Finest Wheat,” used commonly as the Communion hymn during Mass.[12]
However, the IEC was not without some controversy. A mass for the military was held on the anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. This caused some outcry from pacifists, such as Dorothy Day.[13] Despite this the IEC was considered a huge success and marked an important chapter in the Catholic Church’s history in Philadelphia.
To learn more about the International Eucharistic Congress visit the archives to explore the various items in our collection.
[1] John DeMayo and Joseph Casino, The Forty-First Interional Eucharistic Congress, August 1-8, 1976: A History, (Pennsauken: DeVilieger, 1978) 6, 144; MC 80, 100.611: Committee on Special Guests: Final Report to the Board of Governors, August 16, 1967, https://omeka.chrc-phila.org/items/show/8121.
[2] MC 80, 100.2792: Letter to James Cardinal Knox from John Cardinal Krol, March 7, 1975, https://omeka.chrc-phila.org/items/show/8125.
[3] MC 80, 100.2580: 41st International Eucharistic Congress Official Program, https://omeka.chrc-phila.org/items/show/8124.
[4] MC 80, 100.2580: 41st International Eucharistic Congress Official Program.
[5] The 41st IEC: A History, 124.
[6] MC 80, 100.1548: Letter to Cardinal Krol from Dorothy Day January 29, 1976, https://omeka.chrc-phila.org/items/show/8123; MC 80, 100.1673: Letter to Cardinal Krol from Mother Teresa.
[7] The 41st IEC: A History, 298.
[8] MC 80, 100.1755S7.1: Karol Cardinal Wojtyla Homily
[9] The 41st IEC: A History, 547.
[10] MC 80, 100.611: Report to the Board of Governors: Committee on Spiritual Renewal and Preparation, 8/16/1967, https://omeka.chrc-phila.org/items/show/8122.
[11] Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl, https://www.crsricebowl.org/about/ricebowl-faq.
[12] MC 80, 100.463: Congress Hymn: Gift of Finest Wheat, https://omeka.chrc-phila.org/items/show/8120.
[13] The 41st IEC: A History, 121.